How time flies, it has been a full year since I made the three hour trip down to Haldon Forrest Center for the last race, feeling like a bit of a hanger-on with the Team GT crew. Mini Enduro was so new back then, now it really does seem to have stamped its authority, as the most fun, relaxed race weekend to be had in the UK. With the Athertons being over in Spain training, they had no presence at this weekend’s event, so it was a jaunt down in the new race bus, adorned with the new Enduro Mag decals, for prime positioning in the paddock.
Joining me was fellow Blazing Bikes supported rider Coop Dog, and with a quick stop in Bristol fellow Intense Carbine racing lizard Andy Titley jumped in too, he’d been training hard, down to 8% body fat and chasing the win 100%!
The weather had just been shitty for what seemed like a life time, even heading down it was raining, but on arrival the sun finally shone through, giving us the first amazing dose of that elusive ‘one race top’ heat, and it stayed with us the whole weekend! Haldon Forrest center was absolutely buzzing both days, awash with racers, hobby riders, families and walkers, this place really does have an amazing atmosphere! No matter if you’re a rider or just an outdoorsy type family, it’s well worth a visit.
The race paddock area was a pretty simple affair, consisting of the Mini-Enduro sign-on area, this was jam packed with the sports drink Gatorade, they had kindly supplied enough pre-sports energy drink and post-excersize protein drink for more than all of the 300 riders over the weekend! One Industries were there with their race presence, and us there among it, with the Enduro Magazine van. For all those who approached me over the weekend with complements on the magazine and our work, a massive thank you! I felt quite humbled to be honest. Anyway that’s enough niceties, back to the racing! The format had a slight change from the normal Mini-Enduro, in that there were still three separate timed stages, but stage one was to be repeated at the end! Making it a four stage race. Practice was to be held on Saturday (if you could make it) and Sunday morning, with the stages commencing at 1PM on Sunday afternoon.
Stage 1&4
This was by far the trickiest stage, not the roughest or the pedaliest, but just a real twat to get right. It was all down to the top half, with awkward, peaty, rooty corners were the creators of much dismay, roots were fanning out just at the angles you don’t want them too, the sort that just wash your wheels out sideways from under you. On Saturday I soon found this out, ending up rubber-side skyward on one of the most awkward right-handers. I have to admit I must have had six runs at the top of this section and never really felt totally confident on it. Following the top half, things sped up drastically, with open stone single track trail, taking you flat-out to the finish.
Stage 2
This was the stage which was furthest away, probably an 8km pedal, with 1&3 being literally within 10 minutes ride from the center. But on such a beautiful chilled out day, riding with your mates, it just added to the great socializing day out. This stage was definitely the people’s favorite, it consisted of a fast, peaty, whooped out straight shoot through the trees ending in a left hander to cross a fire-road. That final left hander of the section was supposed to be so simple, but a rogue loose rock sent me right over the bars for a classic face-plant, which really woke me up.
From then on, stage 2 got real interesting. Things got steep and fast, a deep, loose gully followed by lots of slick tight bermed corners, drops, small gap jumps and high speed sections through the tress to the end. This left riders feeling exhilarated from the intensity of the ride; with many a smiling face to be seen on completion. Following this was the transition to stage 3, this was the longest of all transitions, but still no bother, with times being nice and slack, as per usual at the Mini-Enduro, keeping the pressure off and the fun on!
Stage 3
This was the closest to the pit area, literally a five minute flat pedal; great! This section was different again, keeping the variation of terrain perfect for the day. After a bit of a narrow fire-road 200-mtr sprint, you hit the sections which really had to be ridden with confidence and aggression. The first section of this consisted of more roots, steep downhill channels, dodgy holes that could be avoided by tricky high lines, then cross a foot-path and you were onto the toughest bit. Rocks were everywhere, broken up by tricky soil ruts and blind crests, Once out of the gnar things sped up, onto flat ground and a short table top to the finish, buzzing! All stages were around the 2 minute mark, with the day over in a shot.
Also down from the Shire was some of team Trailhead, supporting the race with prizes! Trailhead and Blazing Bikes are two local shops with a bit of banter between them, especially when it comes to results and riding, but all riding together it just made that competition seem like a thing of the past, it was just another Shire invasion, with everyone wanting to earn some stripes.
Movers and shakers
1st in the ladies category was Rachael Gurney, followed by Rosie Wilson then Laura Griffiths. Juniors saw SPS’s new signing, Shire rider, Vini Crighton Poli take his brand new Bronson to it’s first victory, a mere 0.4 secs ahead of Leigh Johnson, with Joe Harrison in toe, a great start to the year for Vini. Hardtails had Sam Acland in the top spot, with Paul Mackie 2nd and James Peters 3rd. In the Super Vets Pip Snowdon took top spot, ahead of Tony Hicks then Lars Jones. Another Shire rider, Trailhead’s Richard Webster got the honors with first Vet, ahead of Bad Ass Bike’s Andy Sadler then Graham Sheldon.
It was an Intense Carbine 1 & 2 in the Masters, Shire’s Andrew Titley did what it took for 1st place, one second ahead of Bad Ass Bikes team mate Joe Finney, a full 26 seconds ahead of 3rd placed Russell Turner. Senior category podium boys, proved just how fast they were, considerably quicker than all except Pro-Ams. Rob Newman took the win with Joe Taylor in 2nd and Paul Pickup in 3rd, real good effort lads.
Finally it was time for the big boys to put rubber to dirt, Rowan Sorrel (old DH mate from back in the day) made a rare Enduro appearance, opting for a couple of hours Sunday morning practice, bringing some fast boys with him from South Wales. After just one run, on a single pivot flat pedal equipped bike and after losing time on stage 4 with a stick caught in his wheel, he still won! Finishing 0.7 seconds ahead of Rob Williams on ridiculously quick times, with Leon Rosser 10.3 seconds behind for 3rd. Rowan just stamped his big skills authority on the whole field with amazing display of speed and technique, lets hope to see him at more Enduros in future.
Full results can be found here
Final Thoughts
Quote of the day “There is no such thing as a small race once the beeps can be heard”
On the way home Coop Dog and I were in the ‘nearly’ van, we both had 4th positions, Coop was chuffed, I was gutted. I really shouldn’t have been gutted, but the 1st stage saw me take the top spot, hence only disappointment could follow! I had fallen into the age-old trap of podium chasing, a bad mistake. After having a little word with myself, I was reminded that is my hobby and what I love, I then realized, this was one of the best events I have ever done in the UK. It was on a par to the Ard’ Rock last year, obviously a large amount of this is down to the sunshine, but none-the-less it was fantastic. Big thanks to Haldon Forest Centre, One Industries, Gatorade drinks (all of which got drunk!), Chris Roberts from Mini-Enduro and all the fantastic friendly racers. Also a massive thanks goes out to all the marshals, these guys just stand around all day, so we can shred up the trails with safety and fairness in mind, great job.
Words Jim Buchanan
Pics Doc Ward & chris-davison-photography.co.uk
If you want to see Rowan in action, check out this video below, we have a Bike Park Wales visit planned soon so stay tuned!
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